"The Free Market Project provides the best analysis on why TV doesn't get it right in covering the U.S. economy." -- Rep. Richard Armey, House Majority Leader

According to a survey by the National Council on Economic Education, 79% of Americans get the majority of their economic information from television. This same study determined that an astounding 61% of the general public could not answer questions about basic economic concepts. The study shows clearly Americans do not understand or appreciate our nation's dynamic free-enterprise system. Unfortunately, the single most powerful cultural force in America - the news and entertainment media - don't either, and their antagonism has taken its toll on thousands of businesses and entrepreneurs across the country. 

Like it or not, most Americans do acquire their knowledge of business and economic issues from this powerful entity called television. Today, the news and the entertainment media have a greater influence on forming public opinion than our own educational system. By the time the average child has graduated high school, he will have spent more time in front of television than in front of a teacher in a classroom. 

The media must recognize the vital role they play in shaping such beliefs, and they must take responsibility for better educating the American public on economic issues. Unfortunately, the media will not do so on its own accord.

Before the Media Research Center (MRC) launched the Free Market Project (FMP) in 1992, there was no entity in America devoted solely to analyzing and exposing the anti-free enterprise culture of the media. With the FMP in operation, that void has been filled.

The mission of the Free Market Project is to bring balance to economic reporting on television and to promote fair portrayal of the business community in the entertainment media. The Free Market Project is the economics division of the MRC and it is the only organization in the world dedicated to the unique challenge of correcting misconceptions in the media about free enterprise. 

Since its inception, the Free Market Project has produced several pieces of research, many of which received critical acclaim in the national media. FMP focuses on the culture of the free enterprise system; analysts research and analyze material concerning taxes, regulation, government spending, the environment, and business.

This groundbreaking research has enabled the organization to publish books and studies documenting the media's treatment of America's entrepreneurs and job creators. 

America needs the Free Market Project to confront the media and challenge them to produce material that is both accurate and unbiased. The media's bias will go unchecked and Americans will continue to be left in the dark without the efforts of the Free Market Project.

The Media Research Center and the Free Market Project intend to continue this important work, but we can only do so if those individuals and institutions that are committed to liberty join us. Only by working together can we restore balance to the media's coverage of free enterprise. 

 

Publications: An Outlet for Economists and a Resource for Reporters

MediaNomics -- The Free Market Project's bi-weekly newsletter, MediaNomics, rigorously documents the ongoing anti-free enterprise bias that exists in both the news and entertainment media. Formerly a print publication, now an on-line publication distributed via e-mail, MediaNomics, provides reporters and Hollywood insiders with free enterprise perspectives and examples of how to present stories in a fair and balanced manner. Its in-depth studies on timely topics make it a valuable resource. 

Special Reports -- When certain business and economic topics warrant more thorough discussion and awareness, the Free Market Project produces and distributes comprehensive reports on the media's erroneous handling of such issues. By publishing these Special Reports, the organization has broken new ground in media analysis.

In 2001, FMP released a Special Report on global warming entitled "Clamoring for Kyoto: The Networks' One-Sided Coverage of Global Warming," which garnered major national press coverage. This report effectively demonstrated the news networks' exclusion of views from global warming skeptics and bias towards Kyoto treaty supporters and was the topic of conversation on several national television, radio and print reports.

Books -- The spring board for launching the Free Market Project was the landmark book, Out of Focus, written by Burton Yale Pines, former MRC Senior Fellow and FMP's former Director, Timothy Lamer. This book contains the most comprehensive analysis ever conducted concerning economic reporting on television. Out of Focus answers such vital questions as: "Who are the most and least balanced consumer and economic reporters at the networks?"; "How do the networks report on such issues as health care, taxes, and regulation?"; "How negative is the portrayal of the culture of free enterprise and the role of the businessman in society on entertainment television?"; and "What is the impact of all this?"

The FMP has just completed work with economist Stephen Moore on a book focusing on the top 10 economic myths endorsed by the media. Published this fall, Dollars & Nonsense: Correcting the News Media's Top Economic Myths, contains essays by prominent economists who are experts in their field.